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Metabolites
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Research on Pharmacotherapy of Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease
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Research on Pharmacotherapy of Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease

A special issue of Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmacology and Drug Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 April 2025) | Viewed by 2205

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Aleksandra Bołdys

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Medykow 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
Interests: pharmacotherapy; gastroenterology; hepatology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This special issue will delve into liver diseases, specifically focusing on the pharmacotherapy of Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD). Encompassing viral infections and metabolic disorders falling (after nomenclature change in June 2023 during EASL conference) under the umbrella term SLD (Steatotic Liver Disease), including Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and Metabolic Alcohol-Related Liver Disease or Drug-Induced Liver Injury (DILI), it highlights the crucial role of metabolomics in understanding liver conditions. Authors are encouraged to investigate disruptions in both endogenous and exogenous metabolites, utilizing advanced techniques like lipidomics, cheminformatics, and computational chemistry. The issue underscores the significance of metabolomics in offering insights for early diagnosis, steering targeted therapies, and cultivating a profound understanding of metabolic dysregulation in hepatic disorders.

Dr. Aleksandra Bołdys
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Metabolites is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • liver diseases
  • metabolomics
  • metabolic diseases
  • metabolic dysregulation
  • targeted therapies
  • MASLD

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 11713 KiB  
Article
Compound 3d Attenuates Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis via Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Pathway Activation and Inhibition of Inflammatory and Apoptotic Signaling
by Shouqing Zhang, Jiajia Yu, Sule Bai, Shuhan Li, Quanyuan Qiu, Xiangshun Kong, Cen Xiang, Zhen Liu, Peng Yu and Yuou Teng
Metabolites 2025, 15(5), 296; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15050296 - 29 Apr 2025
Viewed by 191
Abstract
Objectives: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) lacks effective therapies. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of compound 3d, a novel elafibranor derivative, focusing on its dual mechanisms of PPAR pathway activation and p38 MAPK signaling inhibition. Methods: Integrated in vitro and [...] Read more.
Objectives: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) lacks effective therapies. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of compound 3d, a novel elafibranor derivative, focusing on its dual mechanisms of PPAR pathway activation and p38 MAPK signaling inhibition. Methods: Integrated in vitro and in vivo approaches were employed. In vitro, free fatty acid (FFA)-induced lipid accumulation in L02 hepatocytes and lipopolysaccharides (LPSs)-stimulated inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 macrophages were used to evaluate lipid metabolism and anti-inflammatory effects. In vivo, a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced MASH model in C57BL/6 mice assessed serum biochemical parameters (triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nitric oxide (NO), and interleukin-6 (IL-6)), liver histopathology (H&E, Oil Red O, Masson staining), and proteomic profiling. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed via 16S rRNA sequencing. Western blotting quantified PPAR isoforms (γ/δ), downstream targets (Acox1, EHHADH, Acaa1), and p38 MAPK pathway proteins (p-p38, caspase-8, Bcl-2). Results: In vitro, 3d significantly reduced lipid accumulation (reduction in TG, p < 0.01) and inflammation (decrease in ALT activity, p < 0.05) in hepatocytes, while suppressing LPSs-induced TNF-α (63% reduction), NO (51% decrease), and IL-6 (48% reduction) in macrophages (p < 0.01). In vivo, 3d (30 mg/kg) lowered serum TG (39% decrease), TC (32% reduction), LDL-C (45% decline), and TNF-α (57% reduction) in HFD-fed mice (p < 0.05 vs. model), normalized AST/ALT levels, and ameliorated hepatic steatosis, ballooning, and fibrosis. Proteomics demonstrated PPARγ/δ activation (2.3–3.1-fold upregulation of Acox1, EHHADH, Acaa1; p < 0.001) and p38 MAPK pathway inhibition (54% reduction in p-p38, 61% decrease in caspase-8; 1.8-fold increase in Bcl-2; p < 0.01). Gut microbiota analysis revealed enrichment of beneficial taxa (Lactobacillus: 2.7-fold increase; Bifidobacterium: 1.9-fold rise) and reduced pathogenic Proteobacteria (68% decrease, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Compound 3d alleviates MASH via PPAR-mediated lipid metabolism enhancement and p38 MAPK-driven inflammation/apoptosis suppression, with additional gut microbiota modulation. These findings highlight 3d as a multi-target therapeutic candidate for MASH. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Pharmacotherapy of Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease)
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Review

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45 pages, 939 KiB  
Review
From Pathophysiology to Practice: Evolving Pharmacological Therapies, Clinical Complications, and Pharmacogenetic Considerations in Portal Hypertension
by Michał Porada and Łukasz Bułdak
Metabolites 2025, 15(2), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15020072 - 23 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1343
Abstract
Background: Portal hypertension is a major complication of chronic liver diseases, leading to serious issues such as esophageal variceal bleeding. The increase in portal vein pressure is driven by both an organic component and a functional component, including tonic contraction of hepatic stellate [...] Read more.
Background: Portal hypertension is a major complication of chronic liver diseases, leading to serious issues such as esophageal variceal bleeding. The increase in portal vein pressure is driven by both an organic component and a functional component, including tonic contraction of hepatic stellate cells. These processes result in a pathological rise in intrahepatic vascular resistance, stemming from partial impairment of hepatic microcirculation, which is further exacerbated by abnormalities in extrahepatic vessels, including increased portal blood flow. Objectives: This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the evolving pharmacological therapies for portal hypertension, with consideration and discussion of pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical complications, and pharmacogenetic considerations, highlighting potential directions for future research. Methods: A review of recent literature was performed to evaluate current knowledge and potential therapeutic strategies in portal hypertension. Results: For over 35 years, non-selective beta-blockers have been the cornerstone therapy for portal hypertension by reducing portal vein inflow as an extrahepatic target, effectively preventing decompensation and variceal hemorrhages. However, since not all patients exhibit an adequate response to non-selective beta-blockers (NSBBs), and some may not tolerate NSBBs, alternative or adjunctive therapies that enhance the effects of NSBBs on portal pressure are being investigated in preclinical and early clinical studies. Conclusions: A better understanding of pharmacogenetic factors and pathophysiological mechanisms could lead to more individualized and effective treatments for portal hypertension. These insights highlight potential directions for future research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Pharmacotherapy of Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease)
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